Laid off H-1B workers face new risk as USCIS questions B1/B2 status switch

Laid-off H-1B visa holders are struggling to transition to another non-immigrant visa while searching for new employment in the US. US immigration laws give H-1B holders who have lost their jobs a 60-day grace period to find a new employer or leave the country.

During this 60-day window, they may search for a new job and switch to another visa, such as a B1/B2 visa, which is typically a tourist or business visa. A B1/B2 visa helps the laid-off H-1B holder to prolong the stay in the US and not necessarily leave within 60 days.